Vehicle security system including adaptor for data communications bus and related methods

ABSTRACT

A vehicle security system is for a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus connecting a plurality of vehicle devices. The vehicle security system preferably comprises an alarm controller and a data bus adaptor connected between the alarm controller and the data communications bus. In particular, the data bus adaptor preferably implements a desired signal enabling feature for enabling the alarm controller to operate using a desired set of signals for a desired vehicle from among a plurality of possible sets of signals for different vehicles. An alarm controller bus interface is also provided for interfacing to the data communications bus. Accordingly, the desired signal enabling feature permits the alarm controller to communicate with other vehicle devices, such as a vehicle security sensor and/or an alarm indicator via the data communications bus. The security system is thus advantageously compatible with many different types of vehicle data communications formats or protocols. Moreover, the data bus adaptor permits existing conventional alarm controllers, for example, to be readily used with newer vehicles including the data communications bus. The data bus adaptor may be used with remote keyless entry and remote start controllers, and also for vehicle sensors or indicators.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/023,838 filed Feb. 13, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No.6,011,460 which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.08/701,356 filed Aug. 22, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,551.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is related to the field of security systems and, moreparticularly, to a security system and related methods for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle security systems are widely used to deter vehicle theft, preventtheft of valuables from a vehicle, deter vandalism, and to protectvehicle owners and occupants. A typical automobile security system, forexample, includes a central processor or controller connected to aplurality of vehicle sensors. The sensors, for example, may detectopening of the trunk, hood, doors, windows, and also movement of thevehicle or within the vehicle. Ultrasonic and microwave motiondetectors, vibration sensors, sound discriminators, differentialpressure sensors, and switches may be used as sensors. In addition,radar sensors may be used to monitor the area proximate the vehicle.

The controller typically operates to give an alarm indication in theevent of triggering of a vehicle sensor. The alarm indication maytypically be a flashing of the lights and/or the sounding of the vehiclehorn or a siren. In addition, the vehicle fuel supply and/or ignitionpower may be selectively disabled based upon an alarm condition.

A typical security system also includes a receiver associated with thecontroller that cooperates with one or more remote transmitterstypically carried by the user as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 4,383,242 to Sassover et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,215 to Drori.The remote transmitter may be used to arm and disarm the vehiclesecurity system or provide other remote control features from apredetermined range away from the vehicle. Also related to remotecontrol of a vehicle function U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,966 to Lambropoulouset al. discloses a remote keyless entry system for a vehicle. Thekeyless entry system permits the user to remotely open the vehicle doorsor open the vehicle trunk using a small handheld transmitter.

Unfortunately, the majority of vehicle security systems need to bedirectly connected by wires to individual vehicle devices, such as thevehicle horn or door switches of the vehicle. In other words, aconventional vehicle security system is hardwired to various vehiclecomponents, typically by splicing into vehicle wiring harnesses or viainterposing T-harnesses and connectors. The number of electrical devicesin a vehicle has increased so that the size and complexity of wiringharnesses has also increased. For example, the steering wheel mayinclude horn switches, an airbag, turn-signal and headlight switches,wiper controls, cruise control switches, ignition wiring, an emergencyflasher switch, and/or radio controls. Likewise, a door of a vehicle,for example, may include window controls, locks, outside mirrorswitches, and/or door-panel light switches.

In response to the increased wiring complexity and costs, vehiclemanufacturers have begun attempts to reduce the amount of wiring withinvehicles to reduce weight, reduce wire routing problems, decrease costs,and reduce complications which may arise when troubleshooting theelectrical system. For example, some manufacturers have adoptedmultiplexing schemes to reduce cables to three or four wires and tosimplify the exchange of data among the various onboard electronicsystems as disclosed, for example, in “The Thick and Thin of CarCabling” by Thompson appearing in the IEEE Spectrum, Feb. 1996, pp.42-45.

Implementing multiplexing concepts in vehicles in a cost-effective andreliable manner may not be easy. Successful implementation, for example,may require the development of low or error-free communications in whatcan be harsh vehicle environments. With multiplexing technology, thevarious electronic modules or devices may be linked by a single signalwire in a bus also containing a power wire, and one or more groundwires. Digital messages are communicated to all modules over the datacommunications bus. Each message may have one or more addressesassociated with it so that the devices can recognize which messages toignore and which messages to respond to or read.

The Thompson article describes a number of multiplexed networks forvehicles. In particular, the Grand Cherokee made by Chrysler isdescribed as having five multiplex nodes or controllers: the enginecontroller, the temperature controller, the airbag controller, the theftalarm, and the overhead console. Other nodes for different vehicles mayinclude a transmission controller, a trip computer, an instrumentcluster controller, an antilock braking controller, an active suspensioncontroller, and a body controller for devices in the passengercompartment.

A number of patents are also directed to digital or multiplexcommunications networks or circuits, such as may be used in a vehicle.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,262 Sinniger et al. discloses amultiplex bus system including a master control unit and a plurality ofreceiver-transmitter units connected thereto. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No.4,055,772 to Leung discloses a power bus in a vehicle controlled by alow current digitally coded communications system. Other referencesdisclosing various vehicle multiplex control systems include, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,275 to Sato et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,092to Roggendorf et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,783 to Burgess et al.

Several standards have been proposed for vehicle multiplex networksincluding, for example, the Society of Automotive Engineers “SurfaceVehicle Standard, Class B Data Communications Network Interface”, SAEJ1850, Jul. 1995. Another report by the SAE is the “Surface VehicleInformation Report, Chrysler Sensor and Control (CSC) Bus MultiplexingNetwork for Class ‘A’ Applications”, SAE J2058, Jul. 1990. Many othernetworks are also being implemented or proposed for communicationsbetween vehicle devices and nodes or controllers.

Unfortunately, conventional vehicle security systems for hardwiredconnection to vehicle devices, such as aftermarket vehicle securitysystems, are not readily adaptable to a vehicle including a datacommunications bus. One difficulty is that vehicle manufacturersdiscourage cutting and splicing into existing wiring to installaftermarket components. For example, a manufacturer may void a warrantyfor such activity. Moreover, a vehicle security system if adapted for acommunications bus and devices for one particular model, model year, andmanufacturer, may not be compatible with any other models, model years,or manufacturers. Other systems for remote control of vehicle functionsmay also suffer from such shortcomings. In addition, it may beundesirable to obsolete the large number of conventional security andremote control systems for vehicles to develop completely new suchsystems to be compatible with vehicles including a data bus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of thepresent invention to provide a vehicle control system and associatedmethod which facilitates installation in a vehicle having a datacommunications bus.

This and other objects, advantages and features of the present inventionare provided in one embodiment by a vehicle security system for avehicle of a type including a data communications bus connecting aplurality of vehicle devices. The vehicle security system preferablycomprises an alarm controller and a data bus adaptor connected betweenthe alarm controller and the data communications bus. In particular, thedata bus adaptor preferably includes desired signal enabling means forenabling the alarm controller to operate using a desired set of signalsfor a desired vehicle from among a plurality of possible sets of signalsfor different vehicles. An alarm controller bus interface is alsoprovided for interfacing to the data communications bus. Accordingly,the desired signal enabling means permits the alarm controller tocommunicate with other vehicle devices, such as a vehicle securitysensor and/or an alarm indicator via the data communications bus.

The security system is thus advantageously compatible with manydifferent types of vehicle data communications formats or protocols.Moreover, the data bus adaptor permits existing conventional alarmcontrollers, for example, to be readily used with newer vehiclesincluding the data communications bus.

The desired signal enabling means in one embodiment may include a memoryfor storing a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles, andselecting means for selecting the desired set of signals from theplurality of different sets of signals for different vehicles. Theselecting means may comprise user selecting means for permitting a userto select the desired set of signals. The selecting means mayalternately comprise bus determining means for determining the desiredset of signals based upon signals on the data communications bus.

The memory may comprise device address memory means for storing aplurality of different sets of signals for different device addresses.The memory may comprise protocol memory means for storing a plurality ofdifferent sets of signals for different protocols.

In another embodiment of the invention, the desired signal enablingmeans may comprise learning means for learning the desired set ofsignals. Moreover, the learning means may comprise downloading learningmeans for learning the desired set of signals from another device whichis temporarily connected thereto, such as a portable or laptop computeror other downloading device.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the desired signal enablingmeans may comprise protocol providing means for providing a protocol forthe desired vehicle. Alternately, the desired signal enabling means maycomprise device address providing means for providing device addressesfor the desired vehicle.

The concepts and features of the invention may also be desirablyincorporated in a remote control system for a vehicle, such as a vehiclesecurity system, a remote engine starter system, or a remote keylessentry system, for example. The remote control system preferablycomprises a remote transmitter and a receiver within the vehicle forreceiving a signal from the remote transmitter. Related method aspectsof this embodiment of the invention are also disclosed in greater detailbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle security system inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a remote transmitter of the vehiclesecurity system in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a first embodimentof the vehicle security system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a second embodimentof the vehicle security system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a third embodimentof the vehicle security system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a fourth embodimentof the vehicle security system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a variation of thefourth embodiment of the vehicle security system in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle security system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a remote keyless entry system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a remote engine starting systemin accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments ofthe invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Prime and multiple primenotation are used in alternate embodiments to indicate similar elements.

Referring now to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 1, a vehiclesecurity system 10 according to one aspect of the invention is firstdescribed. The security system includes an alarm controller 11 which, inturn, in the illustrated embodiment includes a housing 11 a containing acentral processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor 12 operating understored program control.

In the illustrated embodiment, a transmitter and receiver 13 areconnected to the CPU 12 for receiving signals from a remote transmitter50 (FIG. 2) and for transmitting signals to a remote unit, as will bedescribed in greater detail below. As would be readily understood bythose skilled in the art, the transmitter portion of the controller 11may not be needed in some embodiments of the invention. In particular,in many applications the controller 11 would require only a receiver andnot need the transmitter. An antenna 13 a is illustratively connected tothe transmitter and receiver 13.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the receiver portion of thealarm controller 11 is of the changing code type as will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art. By changing code is meant thatthe remote transmitter 50 (FIG. 2) sends a signal including a series ofbits modulated on a radio frequency carrier, for example. These bitswould typically include fixed code portions as well as changing codeportions. The changing code portion provides additional security for thesystem 11, so that unauthorized transmitters cannot be used to activatethe alarm controller 11. In particular, the term changing code is meantto cover fairly short repeating codes, such as are generally describedas rolling codes. Such rolling codes may repeat as often as every eighttransmissions, for example. In addition, changing code is also intendedto cover pseudorandom codes that may only repeat after many thousands oreven millions of operations as will be understood by those skilled inthe art. The remote transmitter 50 and receiver of the alarm controller11 are synchronized together with each having the changing code patternstored therein or generated internally as will be readily understood bythose skilled in the art.

As will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the processingof the changing code portions and other code portions of receivedsignals may be shared with the CPU 12. Alternately, the CPU may performall of the changing code processing and the receiver provides only ademodulated radio signal, for example. The alarm controller 11 operateswith changing code remote transmitters 50.

In the illustrated embodiment, the CPU 12 is also operatively connectedto a memory (EEPROM) 14. As would be readily understood by those skilledin the art, the CPU 12 may alternately or additionally have its ownon-board memory.

The alarm controller 11 described so far may of the conventional type.However, the alarm controller 11 is connected to the data bus 32 of thevehicle via the illustrated data bus adaptor 15 in accordance with thepresent invention. The data bus adaptor 15 includes its own separatehousing 15 a and may be connected to the alarm controller 11 by suitablecables 18 a, 18 b and connector portions 19 a, 19 b as schematicallyillustrated. The data bus adaptor 15 may be hardwire connected to thedata bus 32 or may be inductively coupled thereto as will be describedin further detail below.

The data communications bus 32 is illustratively connected to variousvehicle input devices including: an ignition switch 20; a key in theignition sensor 21; two zone sensors 22 a, 22 b; conventional trunk hoodand door pin sensors or switches 23, 24, and 25, respectively; and doorlock switches 28. In addition, a pre-warn sensor 26 and valet switch 27also provide inputs to the controller 11 in the illustrated embodiment.As would be readily understood by those skilled in the art, other inputsare also contemplated by the present invention and are generallydescribed herein by the term sensor. In addition, an input signal mayalso be received from a remote transmitter 50 (FIG. 2).

The data communications bus 32 may also preferably be connected to aplurality of output devices. The outputs may include auxiliary relayoutputs 30, such as for window control, remote starting, or a remotealarm indication, as would be readily understood by those skilled in theart. A siren and/or lights 31, and green and red light emitting diodes(LEDs) 32, 33 for dashboard mounting are also illustratively connectedto the controller 11. Other outputs may be directed to a valet LED 34, adome light 36, a central lock relay or lock control unit 41, a starterkill circuit 42, and an armed relay output 43. In addition, otheroutputs may be directed to one or more of an audible tone generator 37,an alphanumeric display 44, a speech message annunciator 45, and avibration transducer 46, as will be readily appreciated by those skilledin the art. Other similar indicating devices are also contemplated bythe present invention, as would be readily understood by those skilledin the art.

In alternate embodiments, some of the illustrated devices may behardwired to various control nodes as would be readily understood bythose skilled in the art. The control nodes may be, in turn, connectedby the data communications bus 32 as would also be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art.

The data bus adaptor 15 also includes the data signal enabling means orcircuit 17 and the data communications bus interface circuit 16. Each ofthe these circuit blocks will be described in greater detail below.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, a remote transmitter 50 inaccordance with the invention is described. The remote transmitter 50illustratively includes a housing 51 and a plurality of first momentarycontact switches 52 a-52 d carried by the housing. A second momentarycontact switch 53 and an indicating light, such as the illustrated LED54 are also carried by or mounted on the housing 51. As would be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art, the remote transmitter 50 istypically relatively small and includes an opening 55 for facilitatingconnection to a vehicle key ring, for example. In addition, the remotetransmitter 50 includes a central processing unit or microprocessor 56operatively connected to the plurality of first switches 52 a-52 d, thesecond switch 53, and the LED 54. The microprocessor is also connectedto a transmitter and/or receiver circuit 57 and its associated antenna57 a for transmitting and/or receiving signals to and from thecontroller 11 of the vehicle security system 10. Accordingly, the term“remote transmitter” is used broadly herein to describe the embodimentalso including receiver means.

The remote transmitter 50 also preferably generates or transmitschanging code signals to increase security as discussed extensivelyabove. In the illustrated embodiment, this feature is shown incorporatedinto the transmitter and receiver block 57, although those of skill inthe art will recognize that this could be done in combination with theCPU 56, or by the CPU alone, for example.

The remote transmitter 50 may also include a numeric or alphanumericdisplay 58, and a speaker 59 coupled to an audible tone generator or aspeech message generator, as may be provided by the microprocessor 56. Avibration transducer, not shown, may also be incorporated into theremote transmitter 50 for communicating to the user as would be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art.

Of course, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art,the remote transmitter may be a central station, for example, ratherthan a handheld unit 50 as shown in FIG. 2. Also the remote transmittermay include a handheld unit that communicates first to a centralstation. Other forms of remote transmitters are also contemplated by theinvention as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Turning now additionally to FIG. 3 a first embodiment of the desiredsignal enabling means 17 of the data bus adaptor 15 is described. Thevehicle security system 10 illustratively comprises a vehicle securitysensor assembly 60 including a sensor 60 and the illustrated data busadaptor 60 b. The data bus adaptor 60 b is illustratively connected tothe data bus 62 in a hardwired configuration, such as typically using anintervening connector, although direct splicing into the data bus isalso contemplated. The data bus adaptor 60 b may include the desiredsignal enabling means and bus interface circuit as described herein.

An alarm indicator assembly 64 is also illustratively connected to thedata bus 62 via the illustrated data bus adaptor 64 b. The alarmindicator assembly 60 also includes the schematically illustrated alarmindicator 64 a which may be an vehicle alarm or siren, for example. Inthis instance, however, the data bus adaptor 64 b is slightly modifiedto communicate with the data bus 62 via the inductive coupler 64 c. Ofcourse, in other embodiments, the data bus adaptor 64 b could be hardwired to the data bus 62. In addition, one or more sensors or alarmindicators could include therein the necessary electronics to interfacedirectly with the data bus 62, or the sensors or indicators could beconnected to another control node, such as the schematically illustratednode 66. For example, other control nodes may include an enginecontroller thereby permitting the alarm controller to disable theengine, or the body controller thereby permitting the alarm controllerto control the vehicle door locks as would be readily understood bythose skilled in the art. Further examples of vehicle security sensorsand alarm indicators are described above in greater detail withreference to FIG. 1.

The data bus adaptor 15 is connected to the data bus 62 by theschematically illustrated inductive coupler in the form of a coil 65 c.Although illustrated in the form of a closed coil, the inductive couplermay have other configurations as well. The inductive coupling datacommunications bus interface circuit 16 provides the necessary drivingsignals to inductively couple signals to the data bus 62, which in theillustrated embodiment is provided by the twisted pair conductors 62 a,62 b as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Theinterface circuit 16 may also include the sensing circuitry to sensesignals present on the data bus 62 as will also be readily appreciatedby those skilled in the art. The data bus 62 may have conductorconfigurations other than the illustrated twisted pair configuration.

The inductive coupling for the vehicle alarm controller 11 may beespecially advantageous for aftermarket devices. As noted in theBackground section above, many manufacturers discourage cutting orsplicing into existing wiring of the vehicle. This presents a difficultyfor aftermarket accessories, such as vehicle security systems.Accordingly, the inductive coupling to the data bus 62 overcomes thisdifficulty. In other embodiments of the invention, the datacommunications bus interface could be connected to the data bus 62 by asuitable connector, or directly spliced to the data bus as will bereadily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The data communications bus 62 may be a multiplexed data bus as would bereadily understood by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the businterface circuit 16 may comprise multiplexing means or circuitry forinterfacing with the multiplexed data bus of the vehicle. For example,any of the various multiplexing schemes as disclosed in “The Thick andThin of Car Cabling” by Thompson appearing in the IEEE Spectrum,February 1996, pp. 42-45 may be used. Other data bus connection schemesare also contemplated by the present invention.

The data bus adaptor 15 further preferably comprises desired signalenabling means 17 for enabling the alarm controller 10 to operate usinga desired set of signals for a desired vehicle from among a plurality ofpossible sets of signals for different vehicles. As would be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art, the term different vehicles mayinclude vehicles from different manufacturers, different models, or evendifferent trim levels of the same make and model. Accordingly, thedesired signal enabling means 17 of the data bus adaptor 15 permits thealarm controller 11 to communicate with the vehicle security sensor andthe alarm indicator via the data communications bus 62 so that the alarmcontroller is capable of operating the alarm indicator responsive to thevehicle security sensor, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, one embodiment of the desired signal enablingmeans 17 may preferably include a memory 70 for storing a plurality ofsets 72 a, 72 b and 72 n of signals for different vehicles, andselecting means for selecting the desired set of signals from theplurality of different sets of signals for different vehicles. Bystoring sets of signals is meant storing information or data necessaryto generate the desired signals on the data bus 62 as would be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art. The memory 70 may include deviceaddress memory means for storing a plurality of different sets ofsignals representative of different device addresses for differentvehicles. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the memory means maycomprise protocol memory means for storing a plurality of differentprotocols for different vehicles.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the selecting means maycomprise user selecting means 75 for permitting a user to select thedesired set of signals. A keypad or other input means may be used topermit the user to select the desired signal set for his vehicle. Thevalet switch 27 (FIG. 1), for example, may also be operated by the userto select the desired signal set. The user may select the desired set ofsignals by entering a unique digital code similar to the selection ofsignals for a home electronics universal remote control. Othertechniques for permitting the user to select the desired signal set froma plurality of stored sets are also contemplated by the invention aswould be readily appreciated by those Skilled in the art.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 4 another embodiment of the desiredsignal enabling means 17′ is described in accordance with the securitysystem 10′ of the present invention. In this embodiment, the selectingmeans may comprise bus determining circuitry or means 77 for determiningthe desired set of signals based upon signals on the data communicationsbus. For example, the bus determining means could determine the desiredset of signals based upon sensed voltage levels or based upon the timingof signal pulses on the data communications bus 62. The other componentsof this embodiment of the desired signal enabling means 17′ are similarto those described above with reference to FIG. 3 and need no furtherdescription.

For certain vehicles, a changing security code portion may be providedon digital signals sent on the data bus 62. For example, the changingsecurity code could be of a pseudorandom type as described above withreference to the remote transmitter 50, and as will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art. For such an embodiment, thedesired signal enabling means 17′ would have stored therein or be ableto generate the pseudorandom code, and would also synchronize with thepseudorandom code being used in the vehicle at any given time. Thesynchronization could be based upon sensing a changed code portion onthe data bus 62 or based upon some other triggering event, such as anignition activation, for example. Those of skill in the art willappreciate other triggering and/or timing events or features forincrementing the pseudorandom code in the desired signal enabling means17′ without further discussion herein.

Yet another embodiment of the security system 10″ according to theinvention is explained with reference to FIG. 5. In this illustratedembodiment the desired signal enabling means 17″ includes a desiredsignal set memory 81 operatively connected to the illustrated buslearning circuit or means 80. The bus learning circuit or means 80 maydetermine and store in the signal set memory 81 the protocol and/ordevice addresses for the vehicle devices. For example, the bus learningcircuit or means 80 may permit the user to operate various vehicledevices and store a desired signal set based thereon as would be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art. The other components of thedesired signal enabling means 17″ are similar to those described abovewith reference to FIG. 3 and need no further description.

Still another embodiment of the desired signal enabling means 17′″ isexplained with reference to FIG. 6A. The desired signal enabling means17′″ includes a signal set memory 81 operatively connected to theschematically illustrated download learning means 84. The downloadlearning means 84 may include an interface connected to the illustratedvehicle cellular telephone 86 to permit learning or downloading of thedesired signal set from a remote or central monitoring and controlstation 88, for example. The desired signal set may also alternately belearned from the central station 88 through the satellite link providedby the satellite 110 and vehicle mounted satellite receiver 111 andassociated antennas. As would be readily understood by those skilled inthe art, the download learning means, as well as the other desiredsignal enabling leans may be implemented by software in a microprocessoror microcontroller of the data bus adaptor 15′″.

Turning now additionally to FIG. 6B, another variation of programming,learning or downloading of the download learning circuit or means 84 isexplained. In this variation the download learning means 84 istemporarily connected to a computer, such as the illustrated portablelaptop computer 115. The connection, may be via a wire cable or wirelesscommunications link as will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art. Of course, the desired signal enabling means 17″″ in thisembodiment may be programmed in the vehicle or prior to installation inthe vehicle.

One implementation of the security system 10 is shown in FIG. 7 andincludes the vehicle alarm controller 11 connected to the data bus 62using the data bus adaptor 15. The remote transmitter 50 can switch thecontroller 11 between the armed and disarmed modes. The controller 11 inthe armed mode is capable of generating an alarm indication via thesiren 31 (FIG. 1) and based upon the door switches 25 (FIG. 1), forexample. The communications are via the data communications bus 62, andare based upon the desired signal set from the desired signal enablingmeans 17 of the data bus adaptor 15.

The features and aspects described above may also be readily implementedin other vehicle related systems, such as for performing remote controlfunctions. As shown in FIG. 8, the invention may be embodied in a remotekeyless entry system 90 including a remote keyless entry controller 91operated by a remote handheld transmitter 93. The controller 91communicates with the door lock motors 94 and illustrated trunk release96 via the data communications bus 62 by using the data bus adaptor 15in accordance with the present invention. The remote keyless entrysystem 90 also includes the desired signal enabling means in the databus adaptor 15 which permits the controller 91 to perform the desireddoor locking and trunk release remote control functions or operations aswould also be readily understood by those skilled in the art. As wouldbe readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, any of the desiredsignal enabling means described herein and equivalents thereto may beused for data bus adaptor 15 of the remote keyless entry system 90 inaccordance with the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 9, yet another vehicle associated remote controlfunction is illustrated and now explained. The remote engine startingsystem 100 includes a remote start controller 101 operable by a remotetransmitter 103. The remote controller 101 may communicate using thedata bus adaptor 15 which, in turn, is coupled to the datacommunications bus 62 to enable the ignition and fuel systems 106 andcrank the engine starter 104. Various sensors may also be monitored aswould be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

A method aspect of the invention is for adapting a vehicle device forinstallation in a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus62. The method preferably comprises the steps of providing a data busadaptor 15 including a housing 15 a, desired signal enabling means 17 inthe housing for enabling the vehicle device to operate using a desiredset of digital signals for a desired vehicle from a plurality ofpossible sets of signals for different vehicles, and an interface 16cooperating with the desired signal enabling means for interfacing thevehicle device to the data bus. The method also preferably includes thestep of connecting the data bus adaptor 15 between the vehicle deviceand the data communications bus 62.

The vehicle device may be an alarm controller 11, a remote keyless entrycontroller 91, or a remote start controller 101, for example. Thevehicle device may also be an alarm indicator or a vehicle sensor, forexample, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Those of skill in the art will readily recognize the benefits andadvantages of the present invention for aftermarket security systems andother aftermarket systems for implementing remote control functionswherein compatibility with a potentially large number of differentprotocols and/or device addresses is desired. Of course, manymodifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to themind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Accordingly, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited tothe illustrated embodiments disclosed, and that the modifications andembodiments are intended to be included within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle security system for a vehicle ofa type including a data communications bus connecting a plurality ofvehicle devices, said vehicle security system comprising: an alarmcontroller; and a data bus adaptor connected between said alarmcontroller and the data communications bus, said data bus adaptorcomprising desired signal enabling means for enabling said alarmcontroller to operate using a desired set of signals for a correspondingdesired vehicle from a plurality of sets of signals for differentvehicles for permitting said alarm controller to communicate with atleast one of the vehicle devices, and an alarm controller bus interfacefor interfacing to the data communications bus.
 2. A vehicle securitysystem according to claim 1 wherein said desired signal enabling meanscomprises: a memory for storing a plurality of sets of signals fordifferent vehicles; and selecting means for selecting the desired set ofsignals from the plurality of different sets of signals for differentvehicles.
 3. A vehicle security system according to claim 2 wherein saidselecting means comprises user selecting means for permitting a user toselect the desired set of signals.
 4. A vehicle security systemaccording to claim 2 wherein said selecting means comprises busdetermining means for determining the desired set of signals based uponsignals on the data communications bus.
 5. A vehicle security systemaccording to claim 2 wherein said memory comprises device address memorymeans for storing a plurality of different sets of signals for differentdevice addresses.
 6. A vehicle security system according to claim 2wherein said memory comprises protocol memory means for storing aplurality of different sets of signals for different protocols.
 7. Avehicle security system according to claim 1 wherein said desired signalenabling means comprises bus learning means for learning the desired setof signals based upon signals on the data communications bus.
 8. Avehicle security system according to claim 1 wherein said desired signalenabling means comprises download learning means for learning thedesired set of signals from a downloading device.
 9. A vehicle securitysystem according to claim 8 wherein said downloading learning meanscomprises means for learning the desired set of signals from a computertemporarily connected thereto.
 10. A vehicle security system accordingto claim 1 wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises protocolproviding means for providing a protocol for the desired vehicle.
 11. Avehicle security system according to claim 1 wherein said desired signalenabling means comprises device address providing means for providingdevice addresses for the desired vehicle.
 12. A vehicle security systemaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one vehicle device comprisesone of a security sensor and an alarm indicator.
 13. A vehicle securitysystem according to claim 1 wherein said alarm controller bus interfacecomprises an inductive coupler for inductively coupling to the datacommunications bus.
 14. A vehicle security system according to claim 1wherein the data communications bus is a multiplexed data bus; andwherein said alarm controller bus interface comprises multiplexinterface means for interfacing with the multiplexed data bus.
 15. Avehicle security system according to claim 1 wherein said alarmcontroller comprises a first housing; wherein said data bus adaptorcomprises a second housing; and further comprising a cable connectedbetween said first and second housings.
 16. A remote control system fora vehicle of a type including a data communications bus connecting aplurality of vehicle devices, said remote control system comprising: aremote transmitter; a receiver within the vehicle; a vehicle functioncontroller operatively connected to said receiver; a data bus adaptorconnected between said vehicle function controller and the datacommunications bus, said data bus adaptor comprising desired signalenabling means for enabling said vehicle function controller to operateusing a desired set of signals for a corresponding desired vehicle froma plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles for permittingsaid vehicle function controller to communicate with at least one of thevehicle devices so that said vehicle function controller is capable ofoperating the vehicle device responsive to said remote transmitter, anda vehicle function controller bus interface for interfacing to the datacommunications bus.
 17. A remote control system for a vehicle accordingto claim 16 wherein the plurality of vehicle devices comprises a vehiclesecurity sensor; and wherein said vehicle function controller comprisesan alarm controller being capable of generating an alarm responsive tothe vehicle security sensor.
 18. A remote control system for a vehicleaccording to claim 16 wherein the plurality of vehicle devices comprisesa plurality of vehicle door locks movable between locked and unlockedpositions; and wherein said vehicle function controller comprises a doorlock controller for moving the vehicle door locks between locked andunlocked positions responsive to said remote transmitter.
 19. A remotecontrol system for a vehicle according to claim 16 where said pluralityof vehicle devices comprises a vehicle engine starter; and wherein saidvehicle function controller comprises a remote start controller foroperating the vehicle engine starter responsive to said remotetransmitter.
 20. A remote control system for a vehicle according toclaim 16 wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises: a memoryfor storing a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles; andselecting means for selecting the desired set of signals from theplurality of different sets of signals for different vehicles.
 21. Aremote control system for a vehicle according to claim 20 wherein saidselecting means comprises user selecting means for permitting a user toselect the desired set of signals.
 22. A remote control system for avehicle according to claim 20 wherein said selecting means comprisesdetermining means for determining the desired set of signals based uponsignals on the data communications bus.
 23. A remote control system fora vehicle according to claim 20 wherein said memory comprises addressmemory means for storing a plurality of different sets of digitalsignals for different device addresses.
 24. A remote control system fora vehicle according to claim 20 wherein said memory comprises protocolmemory means for storing a plurality of different sets of signals fordifferent protocols.
 25. A remote control system for a vehicle accordingto claim 16 wherein said desired signal enabling means compriseslearning means for learning the desired set of signals.
 26. A remotecontrol system for a vehicle according to claim 16 wherein said desiredsignal enabling means comprises protocol providing means for providing aprotocol for the desired vehicle.
 27. A remote control system for avehicle according to claim 16 wherein said desired signal enabling meanscomprises device address providing means for providing device addressesfor the desired vehicle.
 28. A remote control system for a vehicleaccording to claim 16 further comprising a second vehicle controller;and wherein said vehicle function controller is operatively connected tosaid second vehicle controller.
 29. A remote control system for avehicle according to claim 16 wherein the data communications bus is amultiplexed data bus; and wherein the vehicle function controller businterface comprises multiplex interface means for interfacing with themultiplexed data bus.
 30. A remote control system for a vehicleaccording to claim 16 wherein said remote transmitter generates changingcode signals.
 31. A remote control system for a vehicle according toclaim 16 wherein said vehicle function controller bus interfacecomprises an inductive coupler for inductively coupling to the datacommunications bus.
 32. A remote control system for a vehicle accordingto claim 16 wherein said vehicle function controller comprises a firsthousing; wherein said data bus adaptor comprises a second housing; andfurther comprising a cable connected between said first and secondhousings.
 33. A data bus adaptor for a vehicle device to be installed ina vehicle of a type including a data communications bus, the data busadaptor comprising: a housing; desired signal enabling means in saidhousing for enabling the vehicle device to operate using a desired setof signals for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of setsof signals for different vehicles; and an interface cooperating withsaid desired signal enabling means for interfacing the vehicle device tothe data communications bus.
 34. A data bus adaptor according to claim33 wherein the vehicle device comprises a remote function controller.35. A data bus adaptor according to claim 34 wherein the remote functioncontroller comprises a vehicle security system controller.
 36. A databus adaptor according to claim 34 wherein the remote function controllercomprises a vehicle door lock controller.
 37. A data bus adaptoraccording to claim 34 wherein the remote function controller comprises avehicle remote start controller.
 38. A data bus adaptor according toclaim 33 wherein the vehicle device comprises an alarm indicator.
 39. Adata bus adaptor according to claim 33 wherein the vehicle devicecomprises a vehicle sensor.
 40. A data bus adaptor according to claim 33wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises: a memory forstoring a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles; andselecting means for selecting the desired set of signals from theplurality of different sets of signals for different vehicles.
 41. Adata bus adaptor according to claim 40 wherein said selecting meanscomprises user selecting means for permitting a user to select thedesired set of signals.
 42. A data bus adaptor according to claim 40wherein said selecting means comprises determining means for determiningthe desired set of signals based upon signals on the data communicationsbus.
 43. A data bus adaptor according to claim 40 wherein said memorycomprises address memory means for storing a plurality of different setsof digital signals for different device addresses.
 44. A data busadaptor according to claim 40 wherein said memory comprises protocolmemory means for storing a plurality of different sets of signals fordifferent protocols.
 45. A data bus adaptor according to claim 33wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises learning means forlearning the desired set of signals.
 46. A data bus adaptor according toclaim 33 wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises protocolproviding means for providing a protocol for the desired vehicle.
 47. Adata bus adaptor according to claim 33 wherein said desired signalenabling means comprises device address providing means for providingdevice addresses for the desired vehicle.
 48. A data bus adaptoraccording to claim 33 wherein said bus interface comprises an inductivecoupler for inductively coupling to the data communications bus.
 49. Amethod for adapting a vehicle device for installation in a vehicle of atype including a data communications bus, the method comprising thesteps of: providing a data bus adaptor comprising a housing, desiredsignal enabling means in said housing for enabling the vehicle device tooperate using a desired set of signals for a corresponding desiredvehicle from a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles, andan interface cooperating with said desired signal enabling means forinterfacing the vehicle device to the data communications bus; andconnecting the data bus adaptor between the vehicle device and the datacommunications bus.
 50. A method according to claim 49 wherein thevehicle device comprises a remote function controller.
 51. A methodaccording to claim 50 wherein the remote function controller comprises avehicle security system controller.
 52. A method according to claim 50wherein the remote function controller comprises a vehicle door lockcontroller.
 53. A method according to claim 50 wherein the remotefunction controller comprises a vehicle remote start controller.
 54. Amethod according to claim 49 wherein the vehicle device comprises analarm indicator.
 55. A method according to claim 49 wherein the vehicledevice comprises a vehicle sensor.
 56. A method according to claim 49wherein said desired signal enabling means comprises: a memory forstoring a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles; andselecting means for selecting the desired set of signals from theplurality of different sets of signals for different vehicles.
 57. Amethod according to claim 56 wherein said selecting means comprises userselecting means for permitting a user to select the desired set ofsignals.
 58. A method according to claim 56 wherein said selecting meanscomprises determining means for determining the desired set of signalsbased upon signals on the data communications bus.
 59. A methodaccording to claim 56 wherein said memory comprises address memory meansfor storing a plurality of different sets of digital signals fordifferent device addresses.
 60. A method according to claim 56 whereinsaid memory comprises protocol memory means for storing a plurality ofdifferent sets of signals for different protocols.
 61. A methodaccording to claim 49 wherein said desired signal enabling meanscomprises learning means for learning the desired set of signals.
 62. Amethod according to claim 49 wherein said desired signal enabling meanscomprises protocol providing means for providing a protocol for thedesired vehicle.
 63. A method according to claim 49 wherein said desiredsignal enabling means comprises device address providing means forproviding device addresses for the desired vehicle.
 64. A methodaccording to claim 49 wherein said bus interface comprises an inductivecoupler; and wherein the step of connecting comprises coupling to thedata communications bus using the inductive coupler.